b'Courage, Commitment and CommunityThe pandemic changed the way we look at gender-based violence, emergency shelter, and how we connect with our clients. When it began, we packed up all 10 families - 27 people - and moved to a hotel to ensure every resident had their own space for safety and to enable physical distancing. But there was so much more to come.The crisis line was quiet, which was scary.We were used to receiving multiple calls for space a day, and the team was questioning the silence with deep concern. - Alicia Whyte, Interim Shelter Manager -As it was for most people, it all felt very scary, but temporary. But even a short period of time can make a life-changing difference. With the whole world now living in a low-level trauma, supporting women and children in crisis and danger becomes something all the more daunting. But most importantly - so does how they feel they can access that support in the first place.Before the pandemic, they didnt have that much supportas it is. And even with the little support they had,theyre not allowed to access it. - Ishraq Abu-Ali, Trauma Counsellor -Used to being there - being present - for clients in need, our staff teams had to shift not only practices, but their perspective as well.'